Nerdlandia

This episode is all about those low-stakes hobbies! Alli is a baking enthusiast based in Lincoln. We talk about our recent baking projects, favorite local eateries and her spouse Brian's pizza-making obsession. The conversation inspires me to finally overcome my fears and make my first-ever batch of homemade cinnamon rolls. Check out the Nerdlandia bulletin board for recipes, recommendations a...

Carrier is a new Lincoln band made up of friends who just want to make music and get repped by Twisted Tea. Check out their new demo and follow them on Instagram for tour updates. Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk . Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings . 

Aaron is a mental health therapist and ceramicist living in St. Peter, Minnesota. We talk about his approach to the craft, his creative influences and his thoughts on the intersections between pottery and mental health. You can connect with Aaron's work, Ontology Clay, on Instagram and Facebook . --- Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk . Theme song and ending credit...

Lisa Clonch Tschauner is an author, educator and advocate based in Lincoln, Nebraska. She strives to create positive change through activism and education.  Her first work of fiction, Reclamation , uses storytelling to help readers learn more about sex trafficking. In this episode, Lisa shares more about her creative process and reads an excerpt from the novel. References and resources:  Agape Int...

Ross Struss is an experienced Dungeon Master and player who also has his own DND podcast called Bards and Barrels. We talk about what makes Dungeons & Dragons an amazing medium for shared storytelling experiences and also enjoy some beers from a local brewery. (If you're not into beer, simply skip ahead to 5:00.) For an even deeper dive into DND, check out Bards and Barrels . And visit the...

Eddie Bennett is a writer, cross-stitcher and municipal liaison for National November Writing Month (also known as NaNoWriMo). We talk about writing and cross-stitching, the mental health benefits of bullet journaling, and the nerdy inspirations behind their creations. Connect with Eddie’s work on Facebook and Instagram . —- Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk . Theme s...

Liz McCue is a photographer and writer living in Lincoln who documents Midwest culture and identity in her work.  We talk about her experience photographing RAGBRAI (one of the biggest annual bike events in the US) and her approach to capturing the complexity of the Midwest. Plus, she provides a sneak peek into her next creative project. Connect with Liz’s photography on her website or through Ins...

Welcome to Nerdlandia for another bonus episode! (This one is more of a hybrid, technically.) This conversation features Bert Gibbs, a Nebraska Certified Peer Support Specialist and the creator of the website and blog The Bipolar Path. Writing from his experiences, Bert combines storytelling with resources to help individuals with bipolar disorder and their loved ones navigate this diagnosis. In t...

Lauryn Higgins is a freelance journalist based in Lincoln, Neb. When she’s not writing stories for national news and magazine outlets, she loves spending time in the kitchen making plant-based dishes. We talk about Lauryn's experiences as a vegetarian in the Beef State, how gardening inspires her cooking and developing vegetarian versions of her favorite Southern comfort foods. She also dishes...

Musician and LGBTQ advocate Lexi Storm shares the stories behind her music in another Nerdlandia open mic bonus episode! Lexi is a guitarist in the Lincoln-based band Estrogen Projection.   This episode contains themes that may be distressing to some listeners, including mentions of suicide ideation. For support, please call the crisis hotline at 988.   Featured songs: “Happy Birthday, Mr. Preside...

Kate Laing is a a multidisciplinary fiber artist, as well as the founder and owner of Lionheart Canyon Studio in Omaha. Her work has been displayed in art shows and spaces including the Omaha Anthropologie, where she was the location’s first pop-up artist.  We discuss creative community and mentorship, finding inspiration in wild spaces (especially the Southwest) and being a part of the Omaha art...

We're mixing it up a bit for this episode! I check in with my friend Molly who moved to Germany with her husband and their cat six months ago. She talks about preparing for the move, adjusting to a new culture and the surprises she's encountered so far. --- Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by ⁠⁠Elle...

The second Nerdlandia open mic features Hannah Jensen!  Hannah is a musician and composer based in central Nebraska. In today’s episode, she shares two original compositions inspired by paintings made by women artists, and provides insight into her creative process. Connect with her work! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahvaun ,  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/16pY6wr4u9xsLnlOBw...

Happy Galentine’s Day from Nerdlandia! I called up my cross-country penpal Karen (a librarian living in North Carolina) to discuss a book we read together. Love from Scratch by Kaitlyn Hill is a rivals-to-lovers New Adult romance set in the backdrop of a test kitchen. We also discuss the importance of libraries, keeping penpal correspondence alive in this era and her stint as a florist. -- Nerdlan...

It’s a bonus episode! For the inaugural Nerdlandia Open Mic, we’re featuring music from an insanely talented artist. Burning Witch Corpse combines heavy metal, storytelling through the lens of witchcraft, and a little satire to advocate for mental health and artistic expression. The soul of Argatha Glormwell, who was tried and convicted of witchcraft in England during the 14th, 15th or 16th centur...

Jared Buskirk is a cyclist who lives in Lincoln, Nebraska. For this episode we talk about misadventures in camp cooking, solo rides versus group trips, and how a simple cup of coffee can salvage even the worst of excursions. Jared also shares tips for beginners, like how to pick the best bike for your needs and camping gear basics.  Native American tribal land information provided by Native Land D...

Rory Jean Sykes is a painter and musician who stays creatively energized through running, crocheting and playing saxophone in a local ska band. We discuss her painting influences, overcoming perfectionism and how to not get pigeonholed as a full-time creative. Find Rory's work on Instagram: rory.jean.art . *** Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and endi...

Lysandra Márquez Sánchez is a multimedia artist living in Chicago. She introduced The Artist’s Way to me when she convened her own discussion group back in 2022. We discuss what gives the book its staying power, her current creative projects and varied sources of inspiration. *** Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cove...

Hello Nerdlandians! Here's what you can expect from the first season. TLDR (TLDL?): meet you back here on Wednesday, Dec. 27, for our *very first interview* and every other week after that. Woot! --- Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by ⁠Ellen Stubbings⁠ . Get in touch: nerdlandia.podcast@gmail.com.

Coming Dec. 27, join a presentation party in podcast form! Every other week, we'll share conversations with guests about their favorite topics. Follow along on social media and email nerdlandia.podcast@gmail.com with any feedback! Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by ⁠Ellen Stubbings⁠ . Music: https://ww...